dioxin

di·ox·in

any of a family of heterocyclic hydrocarbons; esp., any of a number of isomers of a highly toxic chlorinated teratogen, TCDD, that occurs as an impurity in some herbicides and defoliants, including trichlorophenoxyacetic acid, a component of Agent Orange

Origin of dioxin

di- + ox(a)- + -in

dioxin

noun

Any of several carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic polychlorinated heterocyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that can occur as impurities in petroleum-derived herbicides and as byproducts of manufacturing chemicals and burning fuels and waste.